"I thought that my movie career may end after this film. But I still did it." Continuing the streak of <Inside men>(2015) and <Drug King>(2018), Director Woo Minho again puts his hand on bigger accusation report of modern history. <Chiefs of Namsan> is an espionage thriller based on Kim Choong Sik's novel with same name, about Korean Central Intelligence Agency(KCIA) ‘s ‘Mafia like’ intelligence activities and secret stories and histories during the president Park Junghee’s 18 years of reign. This film will study the realities of 1970’s reign of terror closely, focusing on Kim Gyupyung(Lee Byung-hun) and Park Yonggak(Gwak Dowon) who shot the president Park(Lee Sungmin) who was at the top of the power. “I cannot ignore my feelings that the current issues have roots in parent’s time of 1970s.” In the middle of shooting which was cranked in Oct. last year, director WMH is working on this with the resolution that “this is the end of accusation series”. “If I filmed <Drug Kin> with fun, now I’m holding out day after day, with doubts. We met director WMH on thin ice, in the center of set.

- Getting close to 1970’s reign of fear based on original novel with same name.
I read original novel <Chiefs of Namsan> when I was in college. Writer Kim Choongsik published serial report articles he did in <Donga newspaper> during 90s under president “Noh Taewoo”. Original novel was a bestseller back then, sold 520K copies, and this represents the text for modern/present political history of Korea. Among Japanese journalists this is the book that should be read before coming to Korea. I wanted to do this because it was really movie worthy story as well as major historical event but afraid to do so. After I was done with <Inside men>, I thought of doing this again.

- Why do you wanted to do this movie for so long, and what’s the main focus of the story?
Central Intelligence Agency was the center of 1970s dictatorship government after October restoration. Because of that power, things were eventually lead to the final collapse. To Oct 26th(*translator note: this is the day President Park was shot). I’m describing 40 days before the event. What happened during that 40 days that result to the final end. I wanted to make a movie focused on events, not on characters. <Drug King> was formed on characters without big events, this movie is closer to <Inside men>. <Drug King> described 10 years, physical time in this movie is much shorter. So things will move faster, and how to liven up the tension is the issue.

- This reminds us the movie <The president’s last bang> by director Lim Sangsoo, dealing with same time and assassination of the man in power.
<The president’s last bang> doesn’t put emphasis on the event. Rather than focusing on why Kim Jaegyu shot Park Jung hee, and their emotions, it was more of black comedy drawing messy status of nation and pathetic men. My movie focuses on why so it’ll have different tones. I’m centering what is the characteristic of power, and why they behaved that way.

- How did you interpret main characters “Chiefs of namsan” who were parasites of fear mongering politics and abandoned at the end.

Park Junghee didn’t even trust KCIA who is the closest aids. Chiefs were the 2nd in power and this is the story of them, but they were all discarded in the end. Those who were at the center of the power but didn’t really have any power. Even Park Junghee, who was at the top of the power for 18 years, thought to be enjoying it and trying to hold on to it, but he missed the chance to step down and got the wretched end, as the power dictated. Power is always there, and there will be another faction who wants it. We thought it is where the major power is, but in reality, it may not be anything, just empty space. They were just servants of the power and it’s the power which moved.

- Chief Kim Gyupyung is interesting character with complexities, who was the closest aide to president Park but become a shooter who killed the president. You’re working again with Lee Byunghun after <Inside men>

This is a role that needs to foreshadow future events and to show complex mindsets thru minimal lines. And also needs to present even the smallest things with detail. I can’t think of anyone else can do it, if Lee Byunghun doesn’t do this role, so I didn’t send script to any other actor. After <Inside men> I told him I bought the right for movie for original novel and wanted to do it together. Back then it was under president Park Geunhye(* translator note: president Park Junghee’s daughter), and this scenario deals with subject matters anyone rarely want to jump on but he gave me ok.

- This is dramatized movie, but reminds us the ties with actual people.
Not for all characters but some are modeled with real people in mind. Lee Byung hun has some points that remind us some of Kim Jaegyu, Lee Heejoon, the role of Gawk( which could be Cha JiChul) gained weight for the role. The actor who reminds us president Jeon shaved his head, and I think it’s fun try for outside appearance. The name “President Park” is the only one that’s real, everyone else uses different name and not real name.

- Actors from <Drug King>, Lee Sungmin, Lee Heejoon and Kim Sojin appears again in this movie.
Actor Lee Sungmin only has short scene in <Drug King> but in this movie he’ll have more presence as President Park. I managed to persuade him (laughing) for the role. Actor Lee Heejoon and actress Kim Sojin from <Drug King> will have bigger roles in this movie. They’ll show how main characters like chief Kim, president Park, security chief Gwak, chief Park and Debora Shim go against each other and struggles thru their superb acting.

Synopsis. In 1970s Washington DC, U.S. It is in the middle of hearing titled “Korea gate” on Korean lobbyists and US senates who’s in suspicion for being lobbied. Then, Korea was under the power of KCIA which was above national assembly, political parties, Constitution, militaries or police, and dictator “president Park” who controlled the KCIA. It was the time of terror that if you were against the changes in Constitution, you were considered against the power and discarded. Former KCIA chief Park Yonggak(Gawk Dowon) with the secret of the power and under constant threat of death, decided to seek asylum in US. Espionage and power struggle will follow between the 2nd in powers, KCIA chief Kim Gyupyung(Lee Byunghun) who did the core role for keeping absolute power, Aspiring 2nd in power Gawk Sangchun security chief(Lee Heejoon) and lobbyist Debora Shim.

Another 1970s story after <Drug King> Drug king put light upon the year of 1972 and 10 years afterward, this movie will show later 1970s. How to differentiate. Woo Minho said “Even though it’s the same 1970s, this movie’s tone will be much different from <Drug King>”. Less glamor and more of even tone concept. Filming and art in production will be minimal to put focus on acting. “Referring movies of Jean-Pierre Melville”, will present mystery spy story of cold noir with assassination subject. While <Drug King> showed us various images from Korea in 1970s, this time movie will have scenes between the Blue house, KCIA building and safe house. And scenery of Washington DC and Paris of 1970s, where the assassination will take place, will be something to look forward to.

On January 17, Lee Byung Hun uploaded photos of a coffee truck sent to the filming site of his upcoming movie “Chiefs of Namsan” (literal translation).

The photos show signs that say, “To the actors and staff who are working hard in the cold weather, please come get a caffeine boost,” “From Kim Hye Soo,” and “‘Chiefs of Namsan’ please have a warm cup of coffee.” Lee Byung Hun also thanked the actress for the coffee truck in his post. The two actors are same-age friends, both born in 1970.

Lee Byung Hun is currently filming “Chiefs of Namsan,” which is set in the 1970s and involves the CIA. Other actors appearing in the film are Lee Sung Min, Kwak Do Won, Lee Hee Joon, and more.

Kim Hye Soo most recently appeared in the film “Default” alongside Yoo Ah In, Jo Woo Jin, and Heo Joon Ho. She will be starring in an upcoming sci-fi film “Return” (literal translation) with Hwang Jung Min.

Actor Cho Seung Woo who send this coffee truck, was Lee Byung Hun co-star in movie Inside Men, directed by Woo Min Ho. In this movie was this replica at one moment " Drink a mojito in Maldives" but LBH character always said " Drink a Maldives in Mojito" that's why is that #NoMaldives on the board. (thanks towanda__bluefor the translation on IG)

From the director of The Drug King and Inside Men, this 1970s period drama about the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) stars Lee Byung-hun (Inside Men), Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North), Kwak Do-won (The Wailing), Lee Hee-jun and Kim So-jin (both from The Drug King). At the time, president Park (Lee Sung-min) holds South Korea under authoritarian control with the use of the KCIA’s political terror tactics, until the status quo is disrupted by the Koreagate political scandal involving South Korean politicians, the KCIA and members of US Congress. In post-production, the film is making its market debut in Cannes.

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3/7 Lee Byung Hun posted photo of the coffee truck sent by SHOWBOX to the filming set. Looks like it still has scenes to film even though LBH is now involved with filming another movie.. or perhaps it's a belated photo sharing.

Showbox, one of South Korea’s leading studios, is launching sales of disaster comedy “Sinkhole” at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Film Market. Helmed by “The Tower” director Kim Ji-hoon, the film is the story of the events that follow the appearance of an urban sinkhole that swallows an entire apartment building.

It stars fashion model-turned-actor Cha Seung-won (“Cheer Up, Mr. Lee”), Kim Sung-kyun (“Fengshui”) and Lee Kwang-soo (“Tazza: One Eyed Jack”). Aiming for a 2020 release, “Sinkhole” started shooting in August and is currently in production.

Showbox is also handling international sales of “The Man Standing Next,” a film by “Inside Men” director Woo Min-ho. Based on the fact-based novel of the same title, “Man Standing Next” tells an untold story of Korean Central Intelligence Agency and its political maneuvering in the 1970s. With a star-studded cast that includes Lee Byung-hun (“Inside Men”), Lee Sung-min (“Spy Gone North”), and Kwak Do-won (“Steel Rain”), the political drama is in post-production now and is set for a local release later in the year.

Other titles that Showbox is selling at the Busan market include “Man of Men,” and “The Golden Holiday.”

“Men,” which opened in local cinemas ahead of the Busan festival, is Yong Soo’s directorial feature debut. It features star actors Sul Kyung-gu (“Birthday”) and Cho Jin-woong (“Intimate Strangers”). The comedy drama is the story of a lawyer who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and asks a low-level hoodlum doing community service to help him complete his bucket list, in return for a large part of his life insurance settlement.

“Ordinary Person” director Kim Bong-han’s action comedy “Holiday” revolves around a laid-back countryside detective who takes his family to The Philippines for an anniversary, but does so with a hidden purpose of tracking down an old friend who scammed him and disappeared. Currently in post-production, “Holiday” stars Kwak Do-won, Kim Dae-myeung (“Drug King”), Kim Sang-ho (“The Negotiation”) and Kim Hie-won (“Missing”).

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An excerpt from Marie Claire Special Edition: Moments that Move Me. (A translation)

On the other hand, in “The Man Standing Next”, you play a character inspired by Kim Jae Gyu who assassinated former President Park In interpreting a character that actually exists, it seems to be different from playing a fictional character.

In any case, I feel more sensitive and discreet when I play a historical
figure than a fictional character.It is past history and it is impossible
tofully grasp the situation.Nonetheless, I should act as close as possible to my character.I think that “The Man Standing Next” is a political movie.But the director, producer and I have not focused on the political situation.Rather, we placed more emphasis on describing human relationships. Although we know through history what happened in the film, we will understand how they felt at the time? How did their relationship last for decades? How did their
relationship change? How was their state of mind? It is the story to solve these questions. It is close to a film noir.

Not long ago, a still was released showing a man wearing black sunglasses and standing stiffly.It was impressive because it was completely different from the image of Kim Jae Gyu that we are familiar with.

The name in the movie is Kim Gyu Pyeong.Every person in the film has a different name from the real person. There will be characters in the film who have served as intelligence ministers.It will be a movie that shows a real human being that does not appear in the history book.